and that safeguards are in the interest of the EU (a requirement beyond WTO obligations)

Another essential feature of safeguards is that they apply to all such imports from all countries(this is called erga omnes).

EU trade policy and safeguards

The safeguard procedure is slightly different from anti-dumping and anti-subsidy, and the decision to apply safeguards always has to be weighed very carefully. So far, safeguards have only been used sparingly by the EU.

Imports may also be subject to surveillance if the trend of imports of a product threatens to cause injury to EU producers.

Surveillance does not restrict imports – it is a system of automatic import licensing over a limited time – either retroactively or in advance.